Hi, I'm Stewart Davenport

I grew up in Kearns, Utah. I attend Salt Lake Community College studying History. I love to read. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I'm Stewart. I was born in Salt Lake City, Utah; and I currently live in Kearns, Utah. I am an History major student at Salt Lake Community College. My desires are to teach high school history. I speak fluent Spanish, having learned it on a full-time mission to the Spain, Málaga Mission. I am the fourth of six children, and I love my brothers and sister, as well as my mom and dad dearly. I love to be with my family, read, hang out with my friends, and ride my bike. I love animals. I have three dogs and a cat, and I thank the Lord each day for their company and love.

Why I am a Mormon

Well, I was born to two faithful members of the church who had been sealed together for time and eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. But, that is not the reason why I am a member of the church. As I grew up, my parents taught me the gospel, encouraged me to go to church, and to attend seminary. Trusting that my parents wouldn't lie to me, knowing that they wanted the best for me because they loved me, I followed their counsel. As I heard the teachings of the church, I felt good inside, but still had a desire to know that it was true for myself. I had many friends who had also been raised in the church, but had left, because they had lost their testimonies. I didn't want that to happen to me. I had been told that to know for myself all I needed to do was pray to God and ask for an answer. Understanding that if the Book of Mormon was true, so was the church, I read the Book of Mormon, and then prayed to know of its veracity for myself. Following my prayer, and over the next few days and weeks, I felt a growing comfort in my heart, and a peace in my soul. This I understood to be the Holy Ghost confirming the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon to me. Over the years since then, I have had doubts from time to time, but I will always remember that moment when I first knew that the church was the true church of Jesus Christ. While on my mission, I learned a great lesson. Once we know the truth, we know it. Nothing can change that it is true. We may forget from time to time, but still deep within our hearts is the knowledge that it is still true. Satan does not have the power to take that knowledge from us. He can only distract us from it. Anytime I have doubts, I just think of the Savior, and of those moments when I first knew that the church was true. I feel those good feelings over again, and my faith is renewed. It works for me, and I know that it will work for anyone.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons go on missions?

Mormons believe that they have the true gospel as set forth by Jesus Christ. This Gospel brings them happiness, so they naturally want to share what makes them happy with others who have no knowledge of it. But, the main reason why Mormons go on missions is because it is a divine commandment to spread the gospel. In the New Testament, Jesus sent out missionaries and told them to bring people to the knowledge of His true gospel. Likewise today, Jesus, through His chosen prophets, still sends out missionaries to preach His gospel and spread the knowledge of His atonement to all mankind.

How I live my faith

I try to live my faith is many ways. While at school I try to be a good example of a disciple of Jesus Christ. I also am a member, and Men's Co-President of the auditioned choir at the Taylorsville Institute of Religion: Sounding Joy. As I participate in this choir, I strive to bear my testimony through the wonderful gift of song. The Savior said that the song of the righteous was a prayer unto him, and as any other prayer, as we do it, it will invite the Holy Spirit to join us and build us up. I also serve as the Sunday School President in my ward. Teaching the gospel helps lift me up and build my testimony as I help to build the testimonies of others. I served a full-time mission to the Spain, Málaga Mission, and I greatly enjoyed my time serving the Lord and coming to love more of his children in that part of the world. My experiences there show me that God really is a loving Heavenly Father who loves all his children, regardless of race, economic status or where they were born. He provides for everyone, and if we look for it, we can find evidence of his love anywhere. I believe that in order to live my faith fully, I also need to be a responsible citizen in the place where I live. To do so, I participate in service projects around town, attend school to gain a good education to make me a strong asset to society, and I give needed attention to what is going on in politics so that I can be a responsible voter. Living the gospel is much more than just going to church every Sunday and fulfilling the duties of my calling and as a priesthood holder. It is doing what is right always. It is standing up for what I know to be true. It is helping others to feel the love of Jesus Christ and striving to help them find a testimony in His gospel. Living the gospel is being a good person at all times, in all things, and in all places. It is the process of writing the name of Jesus Christ upon our hearts and becoming like Him. This is what I strive to do.

Why is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called Mormons or Mormonism?

Stewart Davenport answered...

The term Mormon or Mormonism comes from the Book of Mormon, one of the books of divinely inspired scripture used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which combined with the Bible, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price form what is called the Standard Works, or the canonical books of scripture used by the church. It was translated by the gift and power of God through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit by Joseph Smith Jr. It was first translated into English by Joseph, but has since been translated either fully or in part into 108 languages, all through divine inspiration. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. Like the Bible, it testifies of his mission, his divinity, and of his love for all mankind. The Bible and the Book of Mormon work together to teach us of Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon does not replace or supersede the Bible in any way. They equally testify of Jesus Christ, and therefore are equally important to Mormons.
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Why do some call Mormonism a cult?

Tember Skye Harward answered...

Mormon's are viewed as a cult by some because we do not adhere to the fundamental creeds established by the other Christian churches, such as the Nicene or Athanasian Creeds, and their view of the Godhead. Latter-day Saints are viewed by other Christians just like the early Christians were viewed by the Jews and Romans of the time, which was as a cult, because they strayed from what seemed to them orthodox Judaism. Much like the Pharisees and Sadducees, who viewed orthodoxy through the lens of the rules laid out in the rabbinical law and their interpretation of the Law of Moses, the Christians of today view orthodoxy through the lens of the creeds that were established hundreds of years after the death of Christ under the opinion and counsels of men.